5. Bloody Carpet

"I'd think twice before you do that, Pete," Stone warned. "I'll consider it a threat if you keep moving your hand, and I don't like being threatened."

Pete’s hand froze, so maybe he wasn't as stupid as he looked. 

"You might not know me because you're new, but I am the one who runs this part of town," Stone gave the man a sharp look before continuing, "My name is Stone Black. If you decide to work in this area, that means you work for me. You understand?  I'm here to discuss the rules that you need to follow and let you know when and how I will be taking my share."

"Your share?" The man scratched his belly and let out a snort that sounded like laughter. "Listen, man. I've been in this business for years. As far as I know, America is a free country. That means I don't work for anyone and I don't pay anyone."

Stone glanced at the punk-haired man who had opened the door for him earlier. The young man watched what was happening but remained silent. Even as Stone's man started to spread out and inspect every room, he didn't move. He just stood at the edge of the room, glancing towards Pete while just trying too hard not to look scared.

"Maybe in your old place, you worked for yourself," Stone continued, forcing himself to remain patient. "But not in this city. Here, you work for me. If you've been in this business for years, you surely know that, Pete."

Angelo walked back into the living room with six men in tow. All of them were Pete's men, all looking equally confused and fearful as the punk-haired man.

Jet followed soon after, gripping two young women in each hand. The man grinned and said, "Found them in one of the rooms upstairs."

One of the women struggled to free herself from Jet’s grip, while the other just stood silently, staring ahead with a terrified expression.

"Take them out of here and tell them not to come back," Stone told Jet.

Jet nodded and opened the door, pushing the two women outside onto the porch.

"You heard him," Jet said. "Get out of here and don't come back!"

As soon as the women ran, Jet closed the door while mumbling, "Too bad. The black-haired one was pretty cute."

"I'm sure you'll find others," Stone told him before stepping closer to talk to Pete. Something which Stone regretted as the sour smell of the man made him want to vomit.

"Ready to listen?" Stone asked Pete in a low voice.

Pete's eyes darted towards his people, and Stone could see the man plotting something.

"Whatever you're planning, Pete," Stone growled, low enough for only Pete to hear. "Don't."

Stone could see the moment Pete ignored his warning and a decision was made.

Stone sighed as Pete's hand moved. 

Even before Pete's fingers could touch the grip of his gun, Stone had already grabbed his knife and thrust it into the man's throat.

Pete's eyes widened as his mouth opened. The punk-haired young man cursed while others stepped back, inhaling sharply.

Slowly, Stone pulled the knife out, letting Pete slump to his knees under him. Blood poured from the man’s wound, soaking his bare chest and pooling on the cream-colored carpet that covered the floor. 

Pete looked like he was about to say something, but the blood filling his throat made his voice inaudible.

Stone sighed and used his foot to push Pete backward. The man's face was now pale and lifeless – a face Stone recognized all too well. The face of a man with only a few moments left to live.

"That’s too bad," Stone said while turning his head to his men. "It's very hard to clean bloodstains off the carpet, you know?"

Some of his men chuckle. Pete’s man on the other hand, just stare at the bloody mess like they were about to piss themselves.

Stone sighed. To be honest, he was disappointed with what he saw. Most of Pete’s men were just young kids who seemed to have overly ambitious dreams to be in a place like this.

Stone pointed at the punk-haired man standing frozen like a statue.

"You, kid. What's your name?"

"J-Jason," the young man answered with a trembling voice. His eyes moved from Pete's lifeless body to Stone for a few seconds before dropping down again.

"Congratulations, Jason," Stone continued, wiping the blood off his knife with a cloth he found on a table. "You just got a promotion. You now run this place. Do you share Pete's views on what I've been talking about?"

"N-no, sir," the man replied quickly, daring to look into Stone's eyes again, shaking his head.

Stone shifted his gaze to the others. "And the rest of you?"

All shook their heads and mumbled 'no.'

"Wise decision." Stone pointed to his five men before continuing, "They'll stay here and help you guys with our rules. They'll keep an eye on what you do and when you're required to make a payment. If you follow my rules, I'm sure we won't have problems like this in the future."

All nodded and looked relieved when Stone finally moved toward the door.

They might not realize it, but with his help, Stone knew they would make more money than working under Pete's rule.

"Where to next, boss?" Angelo asked, stepping beside Stone.

"I want to check out our new strip club construction, and there's a casino owner I need to visit."

Angelo nodded and opened the car door.

It was almost three in the morning when the job was finally done. Tired and spent, Stone decided to head back home while everyone else continued partying.

Sitting in one of the patio chairs on the back deck, Stone leaned back and lit a cigarette.

At the age of 30, parties and women in the club no longer appealed to him. With his position already established, all Stone wanted now was peace and stability.

His large-sized dog came and rested his head on Stone's lap as the man tried not to fall asleep. Stone petted his dog while mindlessly enjoying the sound of the waves.

After his cigarette was gone, Stone forced himself to get up and walk to his room upstairs. He took off his jacket and placed it on the chair. Just as he was about to turn off the light on the table, Stone noticed a small USB lying next to the lamp. That's when he then remembered.

That's right. Sean Kettler and his little wife.